Helen l



(No Model.) v-

H. L. ALEXANDER.

VEIL CLASP.

. Patented Apr. 10, 1894.

m: mmqrul. umoemwuma COMPANY,

WASHINQION. n4 0.

UNITED STA ES PATENT OFFICE.

HELEN L. ALEXANDER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.

VElL-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 517,970, dated April 10, 1894'. Application filedfl mb r 27,1893. Serial No. 492,129- (No model.)

. veil-clasps or holders, the objects in view being to produce a very simple; readily applied device of this class designed to be applied to the ends of veils for conveniently joining the same, whereby the necessity of tying and pinning said ends for this purpose is avoided.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in a clasp composed of two members, the one constituting an eye having a neck or ofiset, and the other a pair of springjaws whose terminals are crossed and par tially twisted, so as to interlock, and terminating in guard ends for engaging with the ofiset of the opposite member.

Referring to the drawingsz-Figure 1 is a general view of a clasp embodying my invention, the same being in position upon a veil. Fig. 2 is an enlarged-detail view of the ends of the veil, the clasp being in position. Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the two memberscomposing the clasp. Fig. 4 is a modified construction of clasp.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures'of the drawings.

In the practice of my inventionIconstruct a clasp comprising two members which I will designate as the locking member I and the loop member 2. In forming the locking member I employ a blank of spring-wire of suitable length and resiliency, and bend the same at its center so as to form the opposite narrow neckportion or crotch 3 similar to the usual garment clasp or supporter. Beyond the crotch-portion the members are curved in semicircular form, forming the spring-arms 4, said arms crossing each other at 5, and being curved slightly outward at 6 and provided at their extremities with guards or balls 7, the tendency of these arms being to separate. The opposite or loop member is preferably composed of wire, or it may be stamped from sheet-metal. The same consists of a narrow neck or crotch 8, similar to the crotch or neck 3 of the member 1, beyond which the terminals of thev member are shaped to form an'eye 9, and in line with, the crotch, or at diametrically opposite sides of the eye with relation to the crotch, the eye 9 merges into a locking-eye or offset 10. In use the ends of the veil are slipped through the crotches 3 and 8 of the two members, the members being thus secured in position thereupon in such manner as to avoid tearing the veil and yet to obviate any accidental displacement or slipping: Having adjusted the members in position when they -meet and interlock the veil will be secured I eye and the curved terminals will have a tendency to spring together and clasp upon the veil. The remainder of the construction is the same as described.

In order to efiect an interlocking of the members of the clasp it is simply necessary to compress the curved sides 4 of the locking member together and introduce the guards or balls 7 together with the curved terminals upon which they are mounted through the enlarged eye 9, and from thence pass the same into the locking offset 10 of said eye, and upon a release of the pressure by the thumb and forefinger upon the curved arms 4 the tendency of the terminals of the locking member to separate will cause the guards or balls of the curved extremitiesv to engage with the opposite sides of the ofiset 10 and thus effect a locking. It will be obvious that the parts cannot separate, in that the terminals having spread they cannot repass through the narrow neck or opening 11 leading to the offset 10 from the enlarged eye, nor can they pass through the offset 10 by reason of the presence of the guards or balls, so thata secure locking is effected. When it is desired to disconnect the clasp the curved arms 4 must be slightly compressed or to 1 a suflicient degree to permit them to pass through the narrow neck 11 into the enlarged eye 9, when a lateral separation of the members may readily take place.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be seen that I have provided a very simple construction of clasp whose members may be readily manufactured and cheaply sold to the public; which may be readily applied to the ends of veils and will efficiently and securely interlock against any accidental separation, and which may be readily connected and disconnected by the wearer without the aid of a mirror for this purpose.

It will be observed that by reason of the terminals or arms being curved outward, as indicated at 6, the two members when connected will lie flat against the back hair or hat of the wearer.

The advantages secured by the employment of such a device as the foregoing are well known, but might well be stated. Veils are necessarily, when a clasp is not employed, bought longer than actually required for tying, in that, by the tying they become frayed at the ends, torn, and consequently shortened until finally, and usually before the veil is half worn out, becomes too short for use. By the employment of y a clasp the excessive length of veil necessarily purchased at the outset is avoided and just enough is purchased to connect by means of the clasps and the veil never grows shorter by reason of the operation of tying and untying.

Although I have herein shown and described my clasp as adapted for veils, yet it will be obvious that it may be employed for other purposes, as for instance, holding tickets, supporting hose, connecting the ends of sashes, &c.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The herein described clasp, the same comprising the locking member 1 adapted at its outer end to engage with a veil or the like, and at its inner end having opposite curved spring arms crossing each other and provided at their extremities with guard-balls, and the loop member adapted at its outer end to engage with a veil or the like, and in advance of the same provided with an enlarged eye having at its front side a smaller eye or oftset, between which and said ofiset a narrow neck or entrance is formed, substantially as specified.

2. The herein described clasp, the same comprising the locking member 1 adapted at its outer end to engage with a veil or the like and at its inner end having opposite curved spring arms crossing each other, curved outward, and provided at their extremities with guard-balls, and the loop member adapted at its outer end to engage with a veil or the like, and in advance of the sameprovided with an enlarged eye having at its front side a smaller eye or offset, between which and said oifseta narrow neck or entrance is formed, substantially asspecified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HELEN L. ALEXANDER.

Witnesses:

J OHN H. SIGGERS, E. G. SIGGERS. 

